3/4 c  Molasses, light or dark             1 ts Baking Powder
   3/4 c  Margarine (1-1/2 sticks)          1/2 ts Baking Soda
   3/4 c  Sugar, brown firmly packed        1/2 ts Nutmeg, ground
 3 2/3 c  Flour, all-purpose                  1    Egg
     2 ts Ginger, ground                           Icing and assorted candies
     2 ts Cinnamon, ground               
 In 3-quart saucepan over medium heat, heat molasses, margarine and
 brown sugar until mixture boils, stirring occasionally to blend well.
 Remove from heat; cool.  In large bowl, combine flour, ginger,
 cinnamon, baking powder, baking soda and nutmeg.  Blend egg into
 molasses mixture.  With spoon, stir molasses mixture into flour
 mixture until smooth.  Wrap dough in plastic wrap; chill at least 1
 hour.
 Heat oven to 350F.  Divide dough in half.  On floured surface, roll
 dough to 1/8 to 1/4-inch thickness.  Cut with floured 5 x 3-inch
 gingerbread cookie cutter (or knife your own design).  Carefully lift
 with metal spatula onto lightly greased cookie sheet.  Bake for 10 to
 14 minutes or until no indentation remains when touched.  Remove from
 sheet; cool on wire rack.  Decorate as desired with icing and
 candies.  Store in tightly covered container for up to 2 weeks.
                
                 Yields       
                24 cookies                
